Exhibition Examines Clothing as a Material in Art

It’s Saturday night in March and there’s a pulsating glow spilling from the windows of the Root Room in Carnegie Building. Inside, rows of spectators line the perimeter of a long narrow stage. Oberlin’s most anticipated fashion show begins as cheers swell when models, draped in creative attire, take their turn down the walk. This is a signature event during Black History Month. It also serves as inspiration for this week’s photo series.

Eboni Johnson, outreach and programming librarian, holds a hand to her ear as a student across the room reads literature written by bell hooks. The public read-in at Mudd Center’s academic commons honors this prolific writter during Women’s History Month. It also serves as inspiration for this week’s photo series.

After a five minute delay to the start of the program, Public Services Librarian Kathleen Abromeit inches her way to the back of the conservatory library, then pauses. “Should we give it another five minutes,” she asks, looking around the room. She’s excited. After a two-year hiatus Abromeit will announce the library’s first Tiny Ref Desk Concert. The program’s return also serves as inspiration for this week’s photo series.